The Red Pencil

Finally, Amira is twelve. Old enough to wear a toob, old enough for new responsibilities. And maybe old enough to go to school in Nyala-- Amira's one true dream.

But life in her peaceful Sudanese village is shattered when the Janjaweed arrive. The terrifying attackers ravage the town and unleash unspeakable horrors. After she loses nearly everything, Amira needs to dig deep within herself to find the strength to make the long journey-- on foot-- to safety at a refugee camp. Her days are tough at the camp, until the gift of a simple red pencil opens her mind-- and all kinds of possibilities.

New York Times bestselling and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Andrea Davis Pinkney's powerful verse and Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist Shane W. Evans's breathtaking illustrations combine to tell an inspiring tale of one girl's triumph against all odds.

Finally, Amira is twelve. Old enough to wear a toob, old enough for new responsibilities. And maybe old enough to go to school in Nyala-- Amira's one true dream.

But life in her peaceful Sudanese village is shattered when the Janjaweed arrive. The terrifying attackers ravage the town and unleash unspeakable horrors. After she loses nearly everything, Amira needs to dig deep within herself to find the strength to make the long journey-- on foot-- to safety at a refugee camp. Her days are tough at the camp, until the gift of a simple red pencil opens her mind-- and all kinds of possibilities.

New York Times bestselling and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Andrea Davis Pinkney's powerful verse and Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist Shane W. Evans's breathtaking illustrations combine to tell an inspiring tale of one girl's triumph against all odds.

Andrea Davis Pinkney is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of more than 20 books for children, including Bird in a Box and several collaborations with her husband Brian Pinkney, including Sit -In, Hand in Hand,and Martin & Mahalia. She lives with her family in Brooklyn, NY.

Shane W. Evans isthe illustrator of many books for young readers, including Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom, which won a Coretta Scott King award, and Nobody Gonna Turn Me Round, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. His website is ShaneEvans.com.

Praise for Andrea Davis Pinkney's Bird In A Box:

A Today show Al's Book Club for Kids pick!

* "The artfully orchestrated novel is related with grace, restraint and a wealth of historical detail."

(Kirkus Reviews, starred review).

"Pinkney weaves quite a bit of 1930s history into her story and succeeds admirably in showing how Louis came to represent so much more than his sport. Her detailed notes make this an accessible and inspiring piece of historical fiction that belongs in most collections."
(School Library Journal).

"Children who have graduated from Matt de la Pena and Kadir Nelson's excellent A Nation's Hope (2011) will be shown just how culturally significant Louis really was with this stirring novel, which also scores high marks as a satisfying read for both boys and girls."
(Booklist).

"[A] well-researched historical novel"
(Horn Book).

"I love this book. It's like looking through a zoom lens to the 1930s, with three compelling characters who make the past both immediate and intimate. I'll be pestering everyone I know to read Bird in a Box!"
(Linda Sue Park, Newbery Award-winning author of A Single Shard).

"Bird in a Box is just wonderful! Spirited, complex, extremely likable characters [and] involving, often funny, sometimes touching story lines all brought to life with a truly impressive use of language. Amazing!"
(Jim Murphy, Newbery Honor author of An American Plague).

"Bird in a Box is a story about strength that stands up even after being knocked to the mat; it is a story about love climbing into the ring when all the odds are against it. This is a story lovingly told of hope in a broken world that desperately needs something to hope for."
(Gary D. Schmidt, Newbery Honor author of The Wednesday Wars).

"Bird in a Box will break, heal, and then fill your heart, all in one reading."
(Grace Lin, Newbery Honor author of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon).

Praise for Shane Evans' Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom:

"The author's collaged nocturnal paintings shimmer with an arresting luminescence.... When the travelers at last lift a newborn baby to the rising sun, readers celebrate along with the protagonists."

(School Library Journal).

Praise for The Red Pencil:

"Pinkney faces war's horrors head on, yet also conveys a sense of hope and promise."

(Publishers Weekly).

"Pinkney uses deft strokes to create engaging characters through the poetry of their observations and the poignancy of their circumstances... A soulful story that captures the magic of possibility, even in difficult times."
(Kirkus Reviews).

"Amira's thoughts and drawings are vividly brought to life through Pinkney's lyrical verse and Evans's lucid line illustrations, which infuse the narrative with emotional intensity.... An essential purchase."
(School Library Journal).